The Georgia Environmental Protection Division issued final air and water permits for a new coal plant in Middle Georgia Thursday.

The 850-megawatt plant in Washington County is the project of Power4Georgians, a small group of electric cooperatives led by Marietta-based Cobb EMC.

Spokesman Dean Alford said the final permit called the permit "among the very best, if not the best, in the country."

The project has drawn strong opposition from environmental groups.

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